Effective Dates: 02/23/2026 - Present

Identification Number:
EM 26004
Intended Audience:All RCs/ARCs/Ads/FOs/TSCs/PSCs/OCO/OCO-CSTs
Originating Office:PPDX/EEM
Title:New Enumeration Streamlining Process – One-Time-Only Instructions
Type:EM - Emergency Messages
Program:Records Maintenance (Earnings & Enumeration)
Link To Reference:See Reference at the end of this EM.
 

Retention Date: August 23, 2026


A. Purpose
    This emergency message (EM) notifies technicians of enhancements to oSSNAP (online Social Security Number Application Process) that now allows applicants to request a replacement Social Security Number (SSN) card - either with no changes or with a last name change due to marriage (in participating jurisdictions) - through the authenticated self-service path (formerly iSSNRC).
B. Background
    SSA previously utilized a screener tool to determine if an individual qualified for a fully automated self-service replacement card experience (through iSSNRC) or for a partially automated experience, which allowed for an individual to begin the application online and complete the process in a Field Office or Social Security Card Center with the appropriate evidentiary documents. Effective January 31, 2026, we streamlined oSSNAP to dynamically determine the best method for the applicant to apply for either an original or replacement SSN card. oSSNAP now supports both partially automated and fully automated SSN card processing. The public facing website no longer displays screens related to the iSSNRC application. Instead, iSSNRC functionality is integrated into oSSNAP and referred to as the authenticated self-service path.
C. Policy

    1. Criteria to Apply for an SSN Replacement Card via the Automated Self-Service Path
        a. Must be a U.S. citizen with U.S. citizenship established on the SSN Record
        b. Be 18 years of age or older
        c. Have a Login.gov or ID.me account
        d. Request an SSN replacement card that requires no change to the SSN record or that requires a last name change to the SSN record due to marriage in a participating state (RM 10205.630)
        e. Have a U.S. mailing address (includes military APO and FPO addresses)
        f. Have a valid current State-issued driver’s license, or State-issued identity card issued from one of the participating U.S. States listed in RM 10205.630.
        g. Have a marriage certificate issued from one of the participating U.S. States listed in RM 10205.630.(if applicable)

          Note: Individuals who do not meet the above criteria or are unsuccessful at using the fully automated self-service path can still initiate the replacement SSN card application online using oSSNAP and then complete the application in person. The transition will be seamless to either the authenticated hybrid path (for applicants who request changes that cannot be verified electronically) or unauthenticated path (for applicants who do not meet the established criteria listed above or are applying for someone else). During the online process, applicants will automatically be prompted to schedule an in-person appointment to complete the application.

    2. How to Apply for an SSN Replacement Card Online
      Applicants will access their replacement card application via the Social Security Number and Card webpage on SSA’s website. oSSNAP will route users to the appropriate path based on their responses.
            i. Authenticated U.S. Citizen Replacement – No Change and Last Name Change Due to Marriage – Self Service Path
                1. Users are routed to this path when they meet the criteria listed in C.1. and are requesting changes that can be verified electronically.
                2. Applicants who successfully complete this request will be able to view the receipt for their transaction in my Social Security Message Center.
                3. SSA will issue notification through my Social Security Message Center when a technician has reviewed the request.
              ii. Authenticated Hybrid U.S. Citizen Replacement Card
                  1. Users who have a Login.gov or ID.me account are routed to this path when they request a change that cannot be verified electronically.
                  2. Users will be directed to schedule an in-office appointment via the Enterprise Scheduling System (ESS).
                  3. The user will have 45 days to visit a local field office to complete the application process.
                  4. Users will need to write down The Online Control number for the application or print the screen for their records.
                  5. Examples of scenarios needing an in-office appointment:
                      a. User requests a name change for a reason other than marriage or requests a name that is not listed in the last name dropdown box.
                      b. Name change evidence is a U.S. marriage document from a nonparticipating state or a name change document that is not a marriage document.
                      c. Requests to update parents’ names.
                      d. User’s identity document is any type other than a driver’s license or state identification, or the driver’s license or state identification is issued by a non-participating state.
                      e. U.S. Citizenship is not established on the user’s SSN record.
                      f. User is a non-U.S. citizen.
                iii. Unauthenticated or Non-U.S. Citizen – Self
                    1. Users routed to this path do not meet the established criteria in section C.1.
                    2. The applicant will have 45 days to visit a field office to complete the application process.
                    3. Applicants will be required to log-in or create a Login.gov or ID.me account to use ESS.
                    4. Users will need to write down the Online Control Number for the application or print the screen for their records to follow up on their request. Users will not be able to sign back into their accounts for status.
                      Note: Login.gov accounts for ESS only require Identity Assurance Level (IAL) 1-level authentication. Users only need an email address and password to establish the account.
                  iv. Unauthenticated –Third Party Applicant for an Adult or Child
                      1. Users who are routed to this path are applying for someone else.
                      2. The applicant will have 45 days to visit a field office to complete the application process.
                      3. Applicants will be required to log-in or create a Login.gov account to use ESS.
                      4. Users will need to write down the Online Control Number for the application or print the screen for their records to follow up on their request. Users will not be able to sign back into their accounts for status.
            3. Exceptions to oSSNAP use
              Individuals who want a new or different Social Security Number should not use oSSNAP. This includes:
                    · Wrong SSN issue
                    · Religious or cultural objection to certain numbers or digits in the SSN
                    · Evidence that clearly shows the number holder’s SSN has been misused and they are disadvantaged by the misuse
                    · Adoptions requesting name change or new SSN
                    · Harassment, Abuse, and Life Endangerment (HALE) situations
            Direct all program and technical related questions to your management.

            Reference:
            RM 10205.630 – Internet SSN Replacement Cards (iSSNRC) Policy
            RM 10205.633 – Internet SSN Replacement Card (iSSNRC) Application Process Overview
            RM 10205.635 – Online Social Security Number Application Process (oSSNAP) Overview
            RM 10205.025 -- Proper Applicant for a Social Security Card
            RM 10205.030 -- Proper Applicant is a Legal Guardian
            RM 10205.035 -- Proper Applicant is a Parent with Custody of a Child under Age 18
            RM 10205.040 -- Proper Applicant is an Administrator of the Estate of the Number Holder (NH)
            RM 10205.045 -- Proper Applicant is a Relative with Custody of a Child under Age 18
            RM 10205.050 -- Proper Applicant is a State Agency with Legal Custody
            RM 10205.055 -- Proper Applicant is an Individual who can Establish Relationship and Responsibility

            EM 26004 - New Enumeration Streamlining Process – One-Time-Only Instructions - 02/23/2026